Date: 01.05.2023
We are excited to announce the launch of our new artistic research project, Attachment Toys.
Attachment toys, such as stuffed animals and blankets, play a crucial role in providing comfort to children. These items are also essential for many autistic and neurodivergent individuals, offering relaxation and a sense of security. For children attending forest kindergartens or living in remote woodland communities, attachment toys often include natural objects like sticks, tree branches, willow rods, plant roots, and chestnut seeds. These nature-based toys foster a recycling economy and teach children about life, death, and environmental stewardship. They embody the archetype of toys and have been mediums of art since the earliest drawings made with sticks on sand.
In our project, we aim to showcase a wide range of these "nature toys" and draw comparisons to the rapidly growing world of fast-consuming toys. Unlike mass-produced toys, which often serve a single function, natural toys provide a complex medium for exploring reality and expressing creativity. They encourage sustainable play and promote infinite exploration and imagination.
This long-term project is a collaborative effort with several forest kindergartens across Europe.